Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2009 | Page 82

life EQUESTRIAN - Sponsored by Brickfields and Froghill Tack with Red and when Andy and Martine bought understanding of what goes on in their heads. I Kluedo, Nicola had a ride on him. She advised hope we get to compete at Grand Prix if we are them to sell him immediately before he killed good enough,” she says. Martine. Four other professional riders had said the same. Martine persevered for three years with the Earlier this year Martine became a dressage trainer herself after being made redundant. She now trains all types of rider, from beginners impossible Kluedo, while Andy quietly learned and nervous riders to the more advanced to ride so that he and Red could try to persuade competitor. It took four years for Martine to get Kluedo that it was safe to go out of the yard her top hat and tails. “There is no substitute for a ride. Riding became something that for dedication and hard work,” she says to her Martine and Andy did together and Andy is students. As for the building of a partnership now a regular visitor to Robert Booth’s yard just with Kluedo, Martine says it has been blood, outside Newport, where he learned to show sweat and lots of tears, but worth every jump on the now 19-year old Red. moment. “Slowly Kluedo and I got to know each other and now he trusts me implicitly. We still have Contact Martine for training on 07748 98 6979 or email [email protected] bad moments and he does still rear sometimes, especially when I’m teaching him something Photo above: Martine works on medium trot with new, but I am not afraid of him any more. pupil Natasha Coventry riding Charlie. Now, if he doesn’t understand I know how to get round the problems. Kluedo is 14 and in his prime and Martine’s aim is to train him to Grand Prix level. They have moved up to Intermediare II, just one grade down from Grand Prix, which is Olympic level, and Martine has started to teach Kluedo how to change legs at every stride. “I always wanted to compete in a top hat and tails, and now we do it all the time. At the beginning, I had given up all hope. It is a fantastic achievement. I am so grateful to Kluedo for teaching me so much on the way. He owes me nothing. I have learned so much more than just riding. I have discovered how a horse thinks, learns and reacts. I have an 82 Photo below: Warming up for the Prix St Georges at Merrist Wood , near Guildford